A MAN who was stuck in waist-deep mud on a Somerset beach has been rescued by the BARB Search and Rescue.

Volunteers from the rescue charity were called by the Coastguard at 3.30pm on Tuesday (February 11) when the man was spotted in difficulty with the tide incoming nearby.

Several Weston Coastguard mud technicians were flown out on BARB's Light of Elizabeth hovercraft to reach the person, who was around 900 metres down the beach in bitterly cold conditions.

The man was safely freed from the mud before being taken onto the hovercraft and flown up the beach to safety where ambulance crews were waiting to take him to hospital to be treated for signs of hypothermia.

Due to the strong winds and cold weather, the Coastguard helicopter was also called to the scene and landed on the beach for their medical team to help.

Mike Lowe, BARB Operations Manager, said: “This was a fantastic rescue, resulting in a life saved thanks to joint working with partner agencies.

"Full credit goes to the hovercraft team for flying in these bitterly cold and extremely windy conditions. Our thoughts go to the man for a speedy recovery.”